Lake Ocoee near Cleveland, TN

Injured in a Boating Accident?

A relaxing day on the water can turn into a traumatic experience in an instant. Boating accidents often lead to painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and questions about who’s responsible. If you’ve been hurt in a boat crash near Cleveland, TN, you may be entitled to compensation—and legal help is just a phone call away.

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Boat Accident Lawyer in Cleveland, TN

Whether you were on Parksville Lake, Chickamauga Lake, or another nearby waterway, boating accidents in the Cleveland area are more common than many realize. Tennessee reports hundreds of boating-related incidents each year, many involving operator inexperience, alcohol use, or speeding. Even on familiar waters, the risk of serious injury is real.

If someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries, a Cleveland boat accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and fight for what you may be owed. Our team is available 24/7 and doesn’t charge anything upfront—we only get paid if we win for you.

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We Make It Simple

Our law firm strives to make getting help as simple as possible. One call and our team will start reviewing your claim right away. With our help, finding out your legal options has never been easier.

You Deserve Compensation

Insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, and they use tactics to trick claimants into accepting less. We’re here to help make sure you get every dollar you could be owed.

No Fees Unless We Win

Because our attorneys work on contingency, you will never pay any upfront fees. In fact, you don’t pay at all unless we win compensation for you.

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Tennessee Boating Laws You Should Know

Several boating laws often come into play when accidents or injuries happen on the water in Cleveland, Tennessee. Knowing these requirements can help determine whether a boat operator may be held responsible after a crash:

  • Boating license requirement: Tennessee residents born after January 1, 1989, must pass the TWRA Boating Safety exam and carry the official TWRA-issued Boating Safety Education Certificate.
  • Operating under the influence: Just like on the road, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A conviction can carry criminal penalties and play a major role in civil liability.
  • Life jacket use: All boats must have a Coast Guard–approved, wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for every person on board. Children age 12 and under are required to wear a PFD while on the open deck of a moving boat.
  • Negligence and safety violations: Failing to follow safety rules—such as speeding in no-wake zones, not carrying proper equipment, or ignoring navigation markers—can also be used as evidence of negligence after an accident.

These laws are designed to prevent serious injuries on Tennessee waterways. If someone violates them and causes an accident, it may strengthen an injured person’s claim for compensation.

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You Could Be Entitled to Compensation for Your Injuries

If someone else’s negligence caused your boating accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A Cleveland boat accidents lawyer can help you pursue a claim that accounts for both the financial and emotional toll of your injuries.

Economic Damages

These damages cover the direct, out-of-pocket costs related to your accident, such as:

  • Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehab, medication)
  • Lost income due to missed work
  • Future loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage (such as destroyed personal items or boat repairs)
  • Transportation costs for treatment

Non-Economic Damages

These damages reflect the physical and emotional hardship you’ve endured. They may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Scarring or disfigurement
  • Loss of companionship (in wrongful death claims)

Every accident is different. A Cleveland boat accident attorney can review your case and fight for every dollar you may be owed.

Our Results Speak For Themselves!

Workers’ Comp/Third-Party

$8,000,000.00+

Motorcycle Accident

$1,250,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$1,000,000.00

Brain Injury

$950,000.00

Truck Accident

$850,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$800,000.00

Truck Accident

$500,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$500,000.00

Car Accident

$230,000.00

Workers’ Comp

$225,000.00

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There Is a Deadline to File a Lawsuit

Tennessee law gives you only 1 year from the date of your boating accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitation in the country—and missing it could mean losing your chance to recover any compensation at all.

Acting quickly can also help preserve evidence, gather witness statements, and build a stronger case. If you’ve been hurt in a boat accident near Cleveland, TN, don’t wait to get legal help. Our team can review your case and help you take action before time runs out.

Understanding Liability in Cleveland Boating Accidents

When a boating accident occurs, determining who is legally responsible is a key part of building a successful injury claim. Liability is typically based on negligence, meaning someone failed to act with reasonable care and caused harm as a result.

In a Cleveland boating accident case, the at-fault party could be:

  • A boat operator who was distracted, speeding, or under the influence
  • The boat owner, if they allowed an unqualified or reckless person to operate their vessel
  • A rental company that failed to maintain the equipment or provide safety instructions
  • A manufacturer, if a defective part contributed to the crash

To prove liability, your attorney must establish 4 elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your final award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.

A Cleveland boat accident lawyer can gather evidence, challenge unfair blame, and pursue the compensation you may be owed.

Boating Accident Injuries and Causes

Boating accidents can result in serious injuries, especially when they happen at high speeds or involve alcohol. Some of the most common injuries reported in Cleveland, TN, boating accidents include:

  • Head and brain injuries from falls, collisions, or being thrown overboard
  • Back and spinal injuries, including herniated discs and paralysis
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Lacerations and deep cuts, often caused by propellers or sharp objects
  • Burns from fires, explosions, or fuel leaks
  • Drowning and near-drowning, especially if life jackets aren’t used
  • Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and muscle tears
  • Internal organ damage that may not be immediately visible

These injuries often stem from preventable causes. Common contributors to boat accidents include:

  • Operator inattention or distraction
  • Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Excessive speed or reckless driving
  • Inexperienced or unlicensed operators
  • Failure to yield or obey navigational rules
  • Overloaded or poorly balanced boats
  • Mechanical failures or poor maintenance
  • Hazardous weather or low visibility conditions

If you were hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, we can help you hold them accountable and pursue the compensation you need.

Choose Board Certified – Not Billboard

Just because it’s on a billboard doesn’t mean it’s the best option. Lawyers who shell out all that money for billboard ads are all talk and no substance. You and your family deserve the legal aid only a board-certified attorney can give you. Attorneys Jay, Brent, and Herbert at The McMahan Law Firm are Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. We have the knowledge and experience you can trust to help you seek maximum compensation for your losses.

Our Cleveland, TN Boat Accident Attorneys

Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer Jay Kennamer

Attorney James Kennamer

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Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer Brent Burks

Attorney Brent Burks

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Attorney William Joe Hollis, Jr. - McMahan Law Firm

Attorney W. Joseph “Joe” Hollis, Jr.

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Attorney Herbert Thornbury - McMahan Law Firm

Attorney Herbert Thornbury

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Gerard M Siciliano, Personal Injury Lawyer from The McMahan Law Firm in Chattanooga

Attorney Gerard M. Siciliano

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Don’t Hesitate to Contact a Cleveland, TN, Boating Accident Lawyer

You don’t have to face the aftermath of a boat accident alone. Whether you’re dealing with painful injuries, lost income, or growing medical bills, a boating accident lawyer in Cleveland, TN, can help you understand your rights and take the next steps.
The clock is ticking—Tennessee gives you just 1 year to file a lawsuit. Let our team review your case for free and explain how we may be able to help. There are no upfront fees, and you won’t pay us anything unless we win for you.

Contact us today to get started on your case.

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